Episode 34 - Wayne White

June is here and with it Episode 34 of the podcast. This time out, a conversation with songwriter and guitar instrumentalist Wayne White.

Wayne White and his harp guitar

In this episode, Wayne talks about his influences, some of whom might seem surprising for an instrumentalist. We'll talk about how Wayne developed his playing style and about the musical journey that brought him to where he is today.

Wayne also talks about finding the right venues for his style of music, how he came to the harp guitar, misconceptions he's encountered about instrumental music, and some of the challenges of teaching guitar to today's teenagers.

Along the way, Wayne shares three of his compositions: "Justified," "The Second Solution," and "View From The Moon."

This marks the last Measured Voices conversation for the time being. Over the next few weeks, we'll take a listen back to some of the music the various artists have graciously shared. After that, who knows?

Regardless of what happens, this has been a great ride. I'm grateful to every artist who has shared his or her thoughts and music. I'm also grateful to everyone who has taken the time to listen to even one episode of the podcast.

There is an abundance of local and original music in the Treasure Valley. This summer, do yourself a favor and go out and discover some of it.

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Wayne White on YouTube.

Episode 26 - Credenda

Road trip! Road trip! Episode 26 is here, all the way from Nashville, Tennessee.

Last month, I sat down with Anna, Barb, and Daniel Bruton from the band Credenda. Treasure Valley music lovers may remember Credenda from their numerous appearances in Boise and the surrounding area.

In December, 2017, the family made the decision, spurred by advice from others in the local music scene (such as Steve Eaton and Terry Miller), to leave Idaho and head to the Music City in order to see what might be possible.

Last month, I sat down with Anna, Barb, and Daniel in their Tennessee home to talk about a variety of subjects, including the origins of the band's name. We also talk about the band's sound, which they describe as "genre defying."

From there, we get into a discussion of when they knew they had something special, the band's songwriting process, and, of course, their unique harmonies.

To be sure, we'll talk about the band's debut EP. They'll also share three songs from that EP.

Credenda will host a release party in Kingston Springs, Tennessee on February 27. If you can't make the trip, you can tune in live at WFMC Jams. Like WFMC Jams on Facebook, and you can watch the release party as it happens.

Be sure to join me for episode 27, when I sit down with 15-year old guitarist Noble Holt from the band Captain SNAFU.


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Episode 21 - Gayle Chapman

Welcome back, boys and girls! In time for the holidays, we're back with a fresh episode of Measured Voices.

In Episode 21, I sit down with singer-songwriter Gayle Chapman. At the start of her career, she spent two years as the keyboard player for Prince. (Yes, that Prince.) We'll talk about some of what she took away from that experience and touch on the work ethic of Prince. There will also be talk of a bologna sandwich. (It will make sense, I promise.)

Gayle will talk about her music and how it (or perhaps she) has changed through the years. We'll talk a little process and stream of consciousness and discuss why Gayle says reading is so important for songwriters.

Along the way, we'll talk influences (they're wide and varied), collaboration, and revision. Finally, Gayle talks about a project she's hoping to bring to fruition. (Yes, there is a bit of a Prince connection.) All of that and more, plus three of Gayle's tunes, in this edition of Measured Voices.


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Episode 013 - Corey James Grubb

Time now for lucky episode number 13! This go round, I spend a little time with Mountain Home singer-songwriter Corey James Grubb, whose solo sound can almost take you into the heart of Appalachia.

During our time together, Corey and I talk about his musical style and influence, how he got his start, and what he looks for in a song. From there, we talk about the differences in music style for him when he's playing solo versus when he's playing with his band, the Fall Creek String Band, whose sound he describes as "honkygrass."

Corey then shares an early songwriting effort, "Come Back Home." That leads into a discussion of some of his songwriting heroes, near and far.

From there, we discuss his songwriting process, and the Mountain Home music scene, which Corey has high hopes for. Corey talks about the differences in performing solo versus performing with his band, and about the challenges of gaining a following. Then, Corey shares another tune, "Gold Diggin' Woman."

Corey and talk a bit about where his music seems to fit best when it comes to venues, booking gigs (at the time we sat down to talk, Corey's fall schedule was fairly open, so now is the time to contact him), and where he'd like to see himself and his music in a year or two. Corey also shares a story about his first band venture before playing a third tune, "One For The Road."

We conclude our conversation by discussing Corey's playing style, the time he puts into working on his music, and about making a living as an Idaho musician.

Episode 14 features music and conversation with longtime Nashville songwriter Bruce Michael Miller, who recently relocated from Nashville to Idaho Falls.

Corey James Grubb on Facebook
Fall Creek String Band on Facebook

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Episode 011 - Dan Costello, Part Two

Because the conversation was too good, and because I'm too lazy to cut out anything, I decided to make my conversation with long-time Boise singer-songwriter Dan Costello a two-parter.

Part one was posted last Friday, and today, part two is launched into the electronic vapor. In part two, Dan talks about his latest band project, Sono Fuego, telling us how it came about and what Sono Fuego is all about.

Since Dan also still performs solo gigs, we talk about the dynamics of performing solo versus in a band. then Dan discussed how this experience differs from his past band experiences.

We spend some time talking about Dan's decision to perform mainly with a nylon-string guitar and about why Dan's fingernails are so important. That segues into some conversation about Dan's approach to finger-style playing, complete with examples.

Dan talks about what he enjoys most about performing live. He also shares some great thoughts on developing one's stagecraft and talks about the advice he received for overcoming stage fright.

We talk about Dan's increased presence and involvement with the Idaho Songwriters Association, and Dan shares his thoughts about finding success in music. Dan then closes out the episode with a performance of his song "Home Is Where The Heart Is."

Another new episode drops next Friday, August 10. (Then we resume our bi-weekly schedule.) In it, Joel Rodely, Wade Huston, and Dusty Leigh from Dusty Leigh & The Claim Jumpers sit down with me to talk about their name, how the band got started, their approach to songwriting, and more. They also share several of their songs.

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Episode 010 - Part 1, Dan Costello

A short while back, I had the pleasure of sitting down for an in-depth conversation with longtime Boise singer-songwriter Dan Costello. The conversation was so good and so in-depth, I decided to split it into two parts.

In part one of my conversation with Dan, we talk in-depth about his approach to songwriting. Along the way, we slip into a discussion about cooking. Turns out it's the perfect metaphor for songwriting.

Dan talks about the themes he is drawn to in his writing and the artists who helped influence him along the way. He also discusses the effect marriage has had on his writing.

Dan and I talk about changes he's witnessed in the Boise musical scene, especially for younger performers and would-be performers. That seamlessly slides into a discussion about the importance of music education and the idea of music as language.

We revisit some advice Dan gave in a 2010 interview and talk about revision and the idea that it is better to write too much than to try later to add something. And we talk about Leonard Cohen's classic "Hallelujah" and its usefulness as a songwriting exercise.

Along the way, Dan performs a song he wrote for his own wedding and a song he wrote back during his days with the band Stella. Dan did not have his normal guitar with him, son the songs are performed on a carbon fiber Journey OF660 (link below).

Part two of my conversation with Dan will drop next Friday, August 3. (Note the change in schedule.) In it, we'll talk about the latest band project he's a part of and the differences for him between the solo and band performer dynamic. We'll also discuss his approach to playing guitar and his increased involvement with the Idaho Songwriters Association.

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Visit Dan Costello's website
Journey Instruments OF660


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